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(CNN)"Birdman" will go into the history books as 2014's best picture winner, but the 87th Academy Awards will also be remembered for a handful of stirring moments -- and a few awkward ones:

'Glory' gets the glory

Common and John Legend's song "Glory," written for the film "Selma," had the Oscar crowd visibly moved with its rousing message, accompanied by a full gospel chorus. David Oyelowo, who played Martin Luther King Jr. in the film, had tears running down his face.

After winning the Oscar, both Common and Legend used their speeches for some eloquent points.

Photos:Oscars 2015: Highlights

Photos:Oscars 2015: Highlights

Michael Keaton, front left, and "Birdman" director Alejandro Gonzalez Iñarritu accept the Academy Award for best picture along with other members of the film's cast and crew. "Birdman" also won three other Oscars: best director, best cinematography and best original screenplay.

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Photos:Oscars 2015: Highlights

Host Neil Patrick Harris presents his Oscar predictions, which were kept locked in a briefcase on stage during the show.

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Matthew McConaughey presents Julianne Moore with the best actress Oscar for her role in "Still Alice."

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Eddie Redmayne is congratulated after winning best actor for his performance as Stephen Hawking in "The Theory of Everything."

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"The Imitation Game" screenwriter Graham Moore accepts the award for the best adapted screenplay. "When I was 16 years old, I tried to kill myself because I felt weird. And I felt different. And I felt like I didn't belong," he said. "And now I'm standing here, and so I would like for this moment to be for that kid out there who feels like she's weird or she's different or she doesn't fit in anywhere. Yes, you do. I promise you do. You do. Stay weird; stay different."

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Lady Gaga introduces Julie Andrews after singing a tribute to "The Sound of Music."

Travolta had a frisky night. Here he gives Scarlett Johansson a smooch and a squeeze on the red carpet.

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Common, far left, and John Legend are congratulated by actor David Oyelowo and Oprah Winfrey after winning the Oscar for best original song.

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Legend and Common perform "Glory," their winning song from the film "Selma." The performance earned a standing ovation and brought some in the audience to tears -- including Oyelowo, who stars in the film as Martin Luther King Jr.

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"Boyhood" co-star Patricia Arquette accepts the Oscar for best supporting actress. "We have fought for everybody else's equal rights. It's our time to have wage equality once and for all. And equal rights for women in the United Stares of America," she said to rousing applause.

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Harris returns to the stage in his underwear, referencing a scene from "Birdman."

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From left, Akiva Schaffer, Andy Samberg and Jorma Taccone of The Lonely Island take the stage for a rendition of the Oscar-nominated Tegan and Sara song "Everything is Awesome" from "The Lego Movie."

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J.K. Simmons accepts the best supporting actor Oscar for his role in "Whiplash." In the first acceptance speech of the night, he paid tribute to his family, praising his wife and his "above-average" children. He also put in a plug for actual phone calls. "Call your mom, call your dad; don't text, don't email; tell them you love them," he said.

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Jack Black performs during the show's opening number.

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Harris kicks off the show. He wasted no time poking fun at Hollywood.

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"This bridge was once a landmark of a divided nation, but now is a symbol for change. The spirit of this bridge transcends race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, and social status. ... This bridge was built on hope," said Common.

"We wrote this song for a film that was based on events that were 50 years ago, but we say Selma is now, because the struggle for justice is right now," he said, invoking threats to the Voting Rights Act and the level of correctional control of African-American men.

Patricia Arquette and equality

Photos:Oscar-winning best actresses

Photos:Oscar-winning best actresses

Janet Gaynor (1929) – Douglas Fairbanks Sr. hands Janet Gaynor her best actress Oscar in 1929 for Gaynor's performance in the 1927 film ''Sunrise." It was the first best actress Oscar ever awarded.

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Mary Pickford (1930) – In 1930, there were actually two Oscar ceremonies. Actress Mary Pickford, seen here, receives her best actress Oscar in April 1930 for her performance in the 1929 film "Coquette."

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Norma Shearer (1930) – Norma Shearer receives a best actress Oscar in October 1930 for her role in "The Divorcee." Giving her the award is Conrad Nagel, who starred with her in the film released earlier that year.

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Marie Dressler (1931) – Marie Dressler and Lionel Barrymore collect their best actress and best actor Oscars in 1931. Dressler won for "Min and Bill" and Barrymore won for "A Free Soul."

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Helen Hayes (1932) – Film producer Louis B. Mayer presents the best actress Oscar to Helen Hayes for her role in "The Sin of Madelon Claudet."

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Katharine Hepburn (1934) – Douglas Fairbanks Jr. and Katharine Hepburn appear in the 1933 film "Morning Glory." Hepburn's performance earned her the best actress Oscar in 1934. There was no Academy Awards ceremony in 1933; films from that year and the last half of 1932 were eligible to win at the 1934 ceremony.

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Claudette Colbert (1935) – Claudette Colbert won the best actress Oscar in 1935 for "It Happened One Night," a film that was the first to win all five of the major Academy Award categories -- best picture, best director, best actor, best actress and best screenplay.

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Bette Davis (1936) – Bette Davis and film producer Jack L. Warner hold Davis' best actress Oscar at the ceremony held in 1936. Davis won her first Oscar for her role in the film "Dangerous."

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Luise Rainer (1937) – Luise Rainer, second from left, is seen at the 1937 ceremony with, from left, Louis B. Mayer, Louise Tracy and Frank Capra. Rainer won for "The Great Ziegfeld."

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Luise Rainer (1938) – For her performance in "The Good Earth," Luise Rainer won the best actress Oscar for the second consecutive year.

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Bette Davis (1939) – Bette Davis won her second Oscar in 1939, this time for "Jezebel."

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Vivien Leigh (1940) – Vivien Leigh accepts her Oscar in 1940 for her performance in "Gone With the Wind."

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Ginger Rogers (1941) – Actors James Stewart and Ginger Rogers smile after winning Oscars in 1941. Stewart won best actor for his performance in "The Philadelphia Story," while Rogers won best actress for her performance in "Kitty Foyle: The Natural History of a Woman."

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Joan Fontaine (1942) – Joan Fontaine looks at the best actress Oscar she won for her role in the film "Suspicion."

Audrey Hepburn (1954) – Audrey Hepburn is surrounded by reporters as she holds her best actress Oscar for "Roman Holiday."

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Grace Kelly (1955) – Grace Kelly poses with her Oscar after the Academy Awards ceremony in 1955. She won the statuette for her role in "The Country Girl."

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Anna Magnani (1956) – Anna Magnani enthusiastically holds the Oscar she won for "Rose Tattoo." The award was presented to her by U.S. Ambassador Clare Luce at the Villa Taverna in Rome.

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Ingrid Bergman (1957) – Ingrid Bergman, right, appears with Helen Hayes in a scene from the movie "Anastasia." Her performance earned her a second Oscar for best actress.

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Joanne Woodward (1958) – Joanne Woodward smiles while holding her best actress Oscar (and a cigarette). She received the award for her role in the film "Three Faces of Eve."

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Susan Hayward (1959) – From left, actor Burl Ives, actress Susan Hayward and actor David Niven pose with their Oscars in 1959. Hayward won for her role in "I Want to Live!"

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Simone Signoret (1960) – Actress Simone Signoret, seen here next to actor Rock Hudson at the Academy Awards ceremony in 1960, won the best actress Oscar for her role in "Room at the Top."

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Elizabeth Taylor (1961) – Elizabeth Taylor is seen with her Oscar after being named best actress for her part in "Butterfield 8."

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Sophia Loren (1962) – Sophia Loren reacts after winning best actress for the film "La Ciociara."

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Anne Bancroft (1963) – Anne Bancroft cries in her New York apartment as she accepts a congratulatory phone call following her win for "The Miracle Worker."

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Patricia Neal (1964) – Patricia Neal and her three children look at her Oscar statuette, which she won in 1964 for her role in "Hud."

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Julie Andrews (1965) – Julie Andrews looks at the Academy Award she won for "Mary Poppins'" in 1965. The role was her film debut.

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Julie Christie (1966) – Julie Christie is seen with her Academy Award, which she won for her role in "Darling."

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Elizabeth Taylor (1967) – Elizabeth Taylor holds up her second Oscar, this one for the film "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf."

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Katharine Hepburn (1968) – Katharine Hepburn and Cecil Kellaway appear in a scene from "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner." Hepburn won her second Oscar more than 30 years after her first.

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Barbra Streisand (1969) – Barbra Streisand gazes at the best actress statuette she won for "Funny Girl." There was a tie for the award in 1969, with the other winner being Katharine Hepburn.

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Katharine Hepburn (1969) – Katharine Hepburn and Peter O'Toole appear in "The Lion in Winter." The film earned Hepburn her third Oscar for best actress.

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Maggie Smith (1970) – Maggie Smith, who won for "The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie," celebrates with her husband at the time, Robert Stephens.

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Glenda Jackson (1971) – Glenda Jackson won the best actress Oscar for her part in "Women In Love."

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Jane Fonda (1972) – Jane Fonda cradles the best actress Oscar she received for "Klute."

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Liza Minnelli (1973) – Liza Minnelli holds the Oscar she won for "Cabaret."

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Glenda Jackson (1974) – George Segal and Glenda Jackson appear in a scene from "A Touch of Class," which snagged Jackson the best actress Oscar in 1974.

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Ellen Burstyn (1975) – Ellen Burstyn, left, appears in "Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore," which won her the best actress Oscar in 1975.

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Louise Fletcher (1976) – From left, producer Saul Zaentz, actor Jack Nicholson, actress Louise Fletcher and producer Michael Douglas pose with their Oscars at the 1976 Academy Awards ceremony. They all won for the film "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest," which swept the major categories that year.

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Faye Dunaway (1977) – Faye Dunaway rests by the Beverly Hills Hotel swimming pool the morning after she received the best actress Oscar for "Network."

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Diane Keaton (1978) – Diane Keaton places her Oscar on a restaurant table after the Academy Awards ceremony in 1978. She received the award for her role in "Annie Hall."

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Jane Fonda (1979) – Jane Fonda is ecstatic about winning her second Academy Award, this one for "Coming Home."

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Sally Field (1980) – Sally Field accepts the best actress Oscar for her role in "Norma Rae."

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Sissy Spacek (1981) – Sissy Spacek accepts the best actress Oscar for her role in the film "Coal Miner's Daughter."

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Katharine Hepburn (1982) – Henry Fonda and Katharine Hepburn appear in a scene from "On Golden Pond," which won Hepburn her fourth Oscar for best actress.

Natalie Portman (2011) – Natalie Portman poses in the press room after winning the best actress Oscar for "Black Swan."

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Meryl Streep (2012) – Meryl Streep, right, laughs with Sandra Bullock after Streep's win for her role in "The Iron Lady."

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Jennifer Lawrence (2013) – Jennifer Lawrence charms the audience in 2013 as she accepts the best actress Oscar for her performance in "Silver Linings Playbook."

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Cate Blanchett (2014) – Cate Blanchett won an Oscar in 2014 for her turn as a modern-day Blanche DuBois in the Woody Allen film "Blue Jasmine."

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Julianne Moore (2015) – Matthew McConaughey presents Julianne Moore with the Oscar at the 87th Academy Awards. She won for her role in "Still Alice."

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Brie Larson (2016) – Brie Larson accepts the best actress award for her role in "Room." She portrayed a woman held captive with her young son.

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Emma Stone (2017) – Emma Stone accepts the award for her role in the musical "La La Land," which was nominated for 14 Oscars and won six of them.

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Patricia Arquette won best supporting actress for playing an independent-minded mother in "Boyhood." She stood up for her character -- and all women -- in her acceptance speech.

"To every woman who gave birth, to every taxpayer and citizen of this nation, we have fought for everybody else's equal rights, it's our time to have wage equality once and for all, and equal rights for women in the United States of America," she said.

The power of Gaga

Photos:Oscars fashion 2015

Photos:Oscars fashion 2015

Reese Witherspoon arrives at the 87th Academy Awards in Hollywood. She is one of several celebs calling for more substance to red carpet interviews beyond "Who are you wearing?" - prompting the social media hashtag #AskHerMore. Click through the gallery for more from the 2015 Oscars.

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Actress Lupita Nyong'o wore this instantly famous, pearl-laden dress.

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Disney actress Zendaya arrives on the red carpet

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John Travolta and Scarlett Johansson

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Jennifer Aniston, left, and Emma Stone

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Jessica Chastain

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Lady Gaga, left, and Keira Knightley

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Chris Pratt

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Gwyneth Paltrow

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Meryl Streep

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Nicole Kidman

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Jennifer Lopez

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Ed Norton and Shauna Robertson

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Bradley Cooper

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Oprah Winfrey

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Channing Tatum and Jenna Dewan Tatum

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Rita Ora

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Jeff Goldblum, left, and Adrien Brody

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Harvey Weinstein and Georgina Chapman

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Genesis Rodriguez

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Cate Blanchett

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Octavia Spencer

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Sophie Hunter and Benedict Cumberbatch

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Jessica and David Oyelowo

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Naomi Watts

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Rosamund Pike

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Kerry Washington

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J.K. Simmons and his wife, Michelle Schumacher

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Julianne Moore

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Sienna Miller

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Zoe Saldana

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Robin Roberts and Steve Carell

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Dakota Johnson

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Laura Dern

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Michael Keaton

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Felicity Jones

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Kevin Hart

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Behati Prinsloo and Adam Levine

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Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu and his wife, Maria Eladia Hagerman

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John Legend

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Marion Cotillard

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Ethan Hawke and his wife, Ryan

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Margot Robbie

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Joanna Newsom and Andy Samberg

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Oscars host Neil Patrick Harris

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Lorelei Linklater

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Common

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Patricia Arquette

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Anna Kendrick

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Gina Rodriguez

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Lady Gaga often hides her musical talent behind attention-getting outfits, including a meat dress and -- at tonight's Oscars -- some dishwashing-like red gloves. But the Grammys have shown she's a heck of a pianist, and at the Oscars she let her voice roar on a medley from "The Sound of Music."

Suicide in the spotlight

An excited Graham Moore, who won best adapted screenplay for "The Imitation Game," started his speech almost beside himself with joy. But after a breath, he turned somber.

"When I was 16 years old, I tried to kill myself," he said. "Because I felt weird, and I felt different, and I felt like I did not belong. And now I'm standing here, and I would like for this moment to be for that kid out there who feels like she's weird or she's different or doesn't fit anywhere. Yes, you do."

Congratulations Graham Moore. That speech was so beautiful. You should think about being a writer. #Oscars2015

Early in the evening, the Oscar for best documentary short went to "Crisis Hotline: Veterans Press 1," a film about the struggles of returning veterans. As part of her acceptance speech, Dana Perry, one of the producers, dedicated her Oscar to her son. He suffered from bipolar disorder and committed suicide in 2005.

A little awkwardness

Photos:Oscar-winning best actors

Photos:Oscar-winning best actors

Emil Jannings (1929) – The first best actor Oscar went to Emil Jannings at the academy's inaugural ceremony held in 1929. Jannings received the honors for two films: 1927's "The Way of All Flesh" and 1928's "The Last Command."

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Warner Baxter (1930) – Warner Baxter, right, earned the best actor Oscar for his role as the Cisco Kid in "In Old Arizona" (1929). Baxter appears here with best actress winner Mary Pickford at the April 1930 awards ceremony, which recognized films made between August 1, 1928, and July 31, 1929. Baxter loved the role so much he reprised it twice more, in "The Cisco Kid" (1931) and again in "The Return of the Cisco Kid" (1939).

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George Arliss (1930) – George Arliss won the best actor Oscar for "Disraeli," apparently also beating himself since he was nominated for that film and "The Green Goddess." In the early years of the Oscar, a single nomination could recognize more than one role. However, for reasons not entirely clear, the actor won solely for "Disraeli." Perhaps it was a glitch on behalf of the academy, or perhaps voters truly preferred his portrayal as the famed British prime minister. The November 1930 awards ceremony recognized work from 1929 and 1930.

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Lionel Barrymore (1931) – Lionel Barrymore, here with "Min and Bill" best actress winner Marie Dressler, won the best actor Oscar for his work in "A Free Soul." Barrymore played an alcoholic lawyer whose daughter gets involved with a mobster he helped go free.

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Wallace Beery (1932) – The previous year's Oscar winner Lionel Barrymore, left, presents Wallace Beery, right, with the best actor Oscar for "The Champ." Beery tied that year with Fredric March in "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde."

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Fredric March (1932) – Fredric March, right, was honored the same year as Wallace Beery for "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde." Beery actually received one less vote than March, which it resulted in a tie winner according to academy rules of the day.

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Charles Laughton (1934) – British actor Charles Laughton won the best actor Oscar for the title role "The Private Life of Henry VIII" (1933), beating out Leslie Howard in "Berkeley Square" (1933) and Paul Muni in "I Am a Fugitive From a Chain Gang" (1932). The sixth awards ceremony was held in March 1934 and recognized movies released from August 1, 1932, to December 31, 1933.

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Clark Gable (1935) – Clark Gable's status as a Hollywood icon was cemented when the box-office star won the best actor Oscar for Frank Capra's "It Happened One Night" (1934). The screwball comedy was a massive hit with academy voters at the February 1935 ceremony, sweeping the five big categories -- best picture, best director (Capra), best adapted screenplay and best actress (Claudette Colbert).

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Victor McLaglen (1936) – Victor McLaglen, left, beat out two earlier Oscar winners to claim the best actor prize for "The Informer." He was up against Charles Laughton and Clark Gable, both nominated for their roles in best picture winner "Mutiny on the Bounty." McLaglen appears with best actress winner Bette Davis and filmmaker D.W. Griffith of "The Birth of a Nation" fame at the March 1936 ceremony.

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Paul Muni (1937) – After two earlier best actor nominations, Paul Muni finally won for the title role in "The Story of Louis Pasteur," the first of several biographical films he made at Warner Bros.

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Spencer Tracy (1938) – Spencer Tracy, left, with co-star Freddie Bartholomew, won his first best actor Oscar as a Portuguese fisherman in "Captains Courageous." He beat out Oscar-winning actors Fredric March in "A Star Is Born" and Paul Muni in "The Life of Emile Zola." It was Tracy's second nomination.

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Spencer Tracy (1939) – Spencer Tracy takes home his second best actor Oscar for "Boys Town." He appears here with Bette Davis, best actress for "Jezebel," at the ceremony held in 1939.

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Robert Donat (1940) – Robert Donat's Oscar win for "Goodbye, Mr. Chips" was definitely a surprise. Donat earned the honors for his title role as a schoolteacher, beating out some strong performances, including Clark Gable in "Gone With the Wind," James Stewart in "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington" and Laurence Olivier in "Wuthering Heights."

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James Stewart (1941) – After losing the Oscar a year earlier for his iconic role in "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington," James Stewart received the award playing a reporter who falls for Katharine Hepburn in "The Philadelphia Story." Stewart and best actress winner Ginger Rogers celebrate their wins at the ceremony held in 1941.

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Gary Cooper (1942) – James Stewart, right, bestows pal Gary Cooper with the statuette for "Sergeant York." Cooper nabbed the win over Orson Welles, whose "Citizen Kane" also lost out on the best picture award but has become the epitome of a Hollywood classic.

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James Cagney (1943) – Gary Cooper, right, congratulates James Cagney for his best actor win in "Yankee Doodle Dandy" at the Oscar ceremony held in 1943. Cooper, also a nominee for "The Pride of the Yankees," didn't seem to hold a grudge against Cagney.

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Paul Lukas (1944) – Character actor Paul Lukas faced stiff competition from stars Humphrey Bogart ("Casablanca") and Gary Cooper ("For Whom the Bell Tolls"), but he was able to take home the Oscar for "Watch on the Rhine." Lukas and best actress winner Jennifer Jones celebrate at the ceremony held in 1944.

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Bing Crosby (1945) – Bing Crosby, right, and co-star Barry Fitzgerald find a reason to celebrate after the 1945 awards ceremony. They won the best actor and best supporting actor awards, respectively, for "Going My Way."

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Ray Milland (1946) – Ray Milland had a prolific career for decades -- including a standout role in Alfred Hitchcock's "Dial M for Murder" -- but he received only one Oscar nomination. Luckily, he made it count, winning the best actor prize for his role as an alcoholic writer in "The Lost Weekend." Ingrid Bergman presents Milland with the prize at the 1946 ceremony.

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Fredric March (1947) – Fredric March, right, Dana Andrews, center, and Harold Russell struck a chord with postwar audiences as servicemen returning home in "The Best Years of Our Lives." March picked up his second Oscar for the role.

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Ronald Colman (1948) – Ronald Colman, far right, a star since the silent days, picked up the best actor Oscar as a jealous actor in "A Double Life." Coleman appears with the year's other winners at the 1948 ceremony -- from left, Darryl Zanuck, producer of best picture "Gentleman's Agreement," best actress Loretta Young, best supporting actor Edmund Gwenn and best supporting actress Celeste Holm.

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Laurence Olivier (1949) – Laurence Olivier's commitment to bringing Shakespeare's "Hamlet" to the screen paid off handsomely at the Oscars. Olivier walked away with the best actor Oscar in the title role, and "Hamlet" also won for best picture. Here Olivier appears with best actress winner Jane Wyman in 1949.

José Ferrer (1951) – Puerto Rican-born José Ferrer became the first Hispanic to win an Oscar when he was named best actor for "Cyrano de Bergerac." Here he appears with Gloria Swanson, left, and Judy Holliday (best actress for "Born Yesterday") in 1951.

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Humphrey Bogart (1952) – Claire Trevor can't resist giving Humphrey Bogart a kiss backstage at the 1952 Oscars ceremony after he won the best actor award for "The African Queen." Bogart beat out Marlon Brando in "A Streetcar Named Desire," Fredric March in "Death of a Salesman" and Montgomery Clift in "A Place in the Sun."

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Gary Cooper (1953) – Gary Cooper won his second best actor award for the classic Western "High Noon" with Grace Kelly. Among Cooper's competitors were Kirk Douglas in "The Bad and the Beautiful," José Ferrer in "Moulin Rouge," Alec Guinness in "The Lavender Hill Mob" and Marlon Brando in "Viva Zapata!"

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William Holden (1954) – William Holden celebrates his best actor win for "Stalag 17" with best supporting actress winner Donna Reed at the Oscar ceremony in 1954. It was the actor's second nomination; his first was for Billy Wilder's 1950 classic "Sunset Boulevard."

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Marlon Brando (1955) – Oscars host Bob Hope, right, might have tried, but there was no way Marlon Brando was parting with his best actor award at the 1955 ceremony. Brando had lost three years in a row before then, but the actor's luck finally changed with "On the Waterfront."

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Ernest Borgnine (1956) – Ernest Borgnine faced heavy competition for best actor, beating out James Dean ("East of Eden"), Frank Sinatra ("The Man With the Golden Arm"), James Cagney ("Love Me or Leave Me") and Spencer Tracy ("Bad Day at Black Rock"). Backstage at the 1956 ceremony, Borgnine holds the Oscar for his portrayal of a lonely butcher in "Marty."

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Yul Brynner (1957) – Yul Brynner repeated his stage success as the King of Siam, winning the best actor Oscar for "The King and I." He's pictured at the 1957 ceremony.

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Alec Guinness (1958) – British actor Alec Guinness will always be known to "Star Wars" fans as Obi-Wan Kenobi, but he had an illustrious career on stage and screen long before the George Lucas blockbuster. After losing an earlier Oscar nomination, he finally won the best actor award as a World War II British officer in "The Bridge on the River Kwai."

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David Niven (1959) – David Niven, right, joins fellow Oscar winners Burl Ives and Susan Hayward at the 1959 ceremony after winning the best actor award for "Separate Tables." The actor fought off competition from Tony Curtis and Sidney Poitier, both up for "The Defiant Ones"; Paul Newman in "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof"; and Spencer Tracy in "The Old Man and the Sea."

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Charlton Heston (1960) – Charlton Heston helped "Ben-Hur" to win a record 11 Academy Awards, shutting out Jack Lemmon, James Stewart, Paul Muni and Laurence Harvey as best actor. Heston appears with French actress Simone Signoret (best actress for "Room at the Top") at the 1960 ceremony.

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Burt Lancaster (1961) – Burt Lancaster was a winner two times over at the 1961 Oscar ceremony. He won the best actor prize for the title role in "Elmer Gantry," and he had glamorous Elizabeth Taylor, best actress winner for "Butterfield 8," by his side backstage.

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Maximilian Schell (1962) – Maximilian Schell won the best actor Oscar over his "Judgment at Nuremberg" co-star Spencer Tracy. Schell had previously portrayed the character of German lawyer Hans Rolfe in a television version of "Judgment."

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Gregory Peck (1963) – Gregory Peck's performance as lawyer Atticus Finch in the film of Harper Lee's novel, "To Kill a Mockingbird," was a standout to academy voters. He beat out some stiff competition for best actor: Peter O'Toole for "Lawrence of Arabia" and Burt Lancaster for "Birdman of Alcatraz." Here Peck and his wife, Veronique, attend an Oscar after-party in 1963.

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Sidney Poitier (1964) – Sidney Poitier became the first African-American to win the best actor Oscar -- for his work in "Lilies of the Field." Poitier had been nominated once before for "The Defiant Ones." Interestingly, Poitier was the only one of the four acting category winners present at the 1964 ceremony.

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Rex Harrison (1965) – Who didn't fall in love with "My Fair Lady"? The academy sure did. Rex Harrison took the best actor prize for his role as Henry Higgins at the 1965 ceremony, and the musical won best picture honors, among others. But Audrey Hepburn's performance has Eliza Doolittle wasn't even nominated -- the Oscar went to Julie Andrews for "Mary Poppins."

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Lee Marvin (1966) – Lee Marvin won the Oscar for his comic role in "Cat Ballou" over dramatic heavyweights such as Laurence Olivier in "Othello," Richard Burton in "The Spy Who Came in From the Cold," Rod Steiger in "The Pawnbroker" and Oskar Werner in "Ship of Fools." Here, Marvin appears with then-girlfriend Michelle Triola in 1966.

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Paul Scofield (1967) – Paul Scofield also was up against some heavyweight actors, particularly Richard Burton in "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" But Scofield, here with Susannah York, won for his work as Thomas More in the period drama "A Man for All Seasons."

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Rod Steiger (1968) – Sidney Poitier may have been the star of the detective drama "In the Heat of the Night," but he was snubbed in the Oscars race. It wasn't that academy voters didn't love the movie though: "In the Heat of the Night" won best picture as well as best actor for Poitier's co-star, Rod Steiger, here holding his Oscar at the 1968 ceremony.

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Cliff Robertson (1969) – Cliff Robertson's portrayal of a mentally challenged man in the drama "Charly" was enough to bowl over competition such as Peter O'Toole and Alan Arkin.

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John Wayne (1970) – The best actor category was fierce the year John Wayne won the gold for "True Grit." In only his second nomination, the Hollywood legend beat out newcomers Dustin Hoffman and Jon Voight in "Midnight Cowboy" as well as Richard Burton in "Anne of the Thousand Days" and Peter O'Toole in "Goodbye, Mr. Chips." Barbra Streisand congratulates Wayne at the 1970 ceremony.

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George C. Scott (1971) – "Patton" features one of the most readily recognizable images in films -- that of George C. Scott's general standing in front of the American flag -- and it was as critically acclaimed as it was popular. But while "Patton" nabbed the best picture title and a best actor Oscar for Scott, the actor was having none of it. He refused to accept the prize, calling the politics surrounding the ceremony "demeaning" and likening the Oscars to a "two-hour meat parade."

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Gene Hackman (1972) – Everyone wanted in on "The French Connection," and star Gene Hackman was rewarded handsomely with the best actor award at the 1972 ceremony.

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Marlon Brando (1973) – An Oscar is an honor most stars would never refuse, but Marlon Brando did when the academy bestowed him with the best actor prize for "The Godfather" at the 1973 ceremony. Brando, who had won the award once before, said he was protesting the portrayal of Native Americans on TV and in film.

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Jack Lemmon (1974) – The academy loved to nominate Jack Lemmon, but it wasn't always so quick to give him the prize. The star's luck changed when "Save the Tiger" earned him a best actor Oscar.

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Art Carney (1975) – For Art Carney, there were two phrases that helped him secure the best actor Oscar for "Harry and Tonto." "Do it! You are old," words of wisdom that came from his agent.

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Jack Nicholson (1976) – After losing out four times as an Oscar nominee, Jack Nicholson triumphantly claimed his prize for "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest."

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Peter Finch (1977) – "Network's" Peter Finch faced some tough competition for the best actor award. He was up against Robert De Niro in "Taxi Driver" and Sylvester Stallone in best picture winner "Rocky" as well as his "Network" co-star, William Holden. Finch died two months before the March 1977 ceremony and became the first actor to win an Oscar posthumously.

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Richard Dreyfuss (1978) – John Travolta in "Saturday Night Fever" and Woody Allen in "Annie Hall" have become prime examples of characters in '70s films, but Richard Dreyfuss' performance as a struggling actor in "The Goodbye Girl" stood out the most to academy voters at the time. Here the actor accepts his prize at the 1978 ceremony.

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Jon Voight (1979) – Jon Voight had been nominated for a best actor Oscar once before for 1969's "Midnight Cowboy," but it was the Vietnam War drama "Coming Home" that finally earned him the honors.

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Dustin Hoffman (1980) – Like Jack Nicholson before him, Dustin Hoffman was forever the bridesmaid and never the bride. But after losing for "Midnight Cowboy," "The Graduate" and "Lenny," Hoffman got to accept the award at the 1980 ceremony, thanks to his work in best picture winner "Kramer vs. Kramer."

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Robert De Niro (1981) – Robert De Niro faced movie greats such as Peter O'Toole and Jack Lemmon in the best actor category. De Niro had already won the best supporting actor Oscar for "The Godfather: Part II," and academy voters couldn't help but hand him the best actor prize for "Raging Bull" -- especially since he gained nearly 60 pounds to play Jake LaMotta as an aging boxer.

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Henry Fonda (1982) – After being a movie legend for more than 40 years, Henry Fonda won his first competitive Oscar for "On Golden Pond." His co-star, Katharine Hepburn, also shined in the movie as his wife, picking up her fourth best actress prize.

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Ben Kingsley (1983) – Ben Kingsley's portrayal in "Gandhi" was the performance to beat in that year's best actor Oscar race, and neither Dustin Hoffman in "Tootsie" nor Paul Newman in "The Verdict" could compete.

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Robert Duvall (1984) – Robert Duvall won the best actor prize for his performance as a country singer in "Tender Mercies."

William Hurt (1986) – "Out of Africa" dominated the Oscars at the 1986 ceremony, but William Hurt picked up the best actor award for his portrayal of a gay imprisoned man in "Kiss of the Spider Woman."

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Paul Newman (1987) – Paul Newman's performance in "The Color of Money" struck Oscar gold. It was the actor's first competitive Oscar win, but he wasn't there to accept it -- he'd joked that, after showing up and losing six other times, he might finally nab the prize if he stayed away.

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Michael Douglas (1988) – Gordon Gekko's creed of greed was very, very good to Michael Douglas. The star -- and son of another frequent Oscar nominee, Kirk Douglas -- earned his first Oscar nomination and first win for best actor for his role as the ruthless corporate raider in "Wall Street." Here Douglas appears with Marlee Matlin at the 1988 ceremony.

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Dustin Hoffman (1989) – Awards came pouring in for "Rain Man" with Dustin Hoffman, left, as an autistic savant and Tom Cruise as his younger brother. Hoffman picked up his second best actor Oscar and received congratulations from Cruise at the 1989 ceremony. Cruise wasn't even nominated, but he was probably just fine with starring in the best picture winner.

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Daniel Day-Lewis (1990) – Before Daniel Day-Lewis became so revered he could strike fear in the hearts of Oscar competitors, the British performer proved his mettle with the biopic "My Left Foot," earning his first best actor Oscar. It was no easy task: Day-Lewis was up against Morgan Freeman in "Driving Miss Daisy," Kenneth Branagh in "Henry V," Tom Cruise in "Born on the Fourth of July" and Robin Williams in "Dead Poets Society."

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Jeremy Irons (1991) – We suppose the academy couldn't justify giving Kevin Costner the best director, best picture and the best actor prize for "Dances With Wolves," so Jeremy Irons took home the statuette for best actor for his role as Claus von Bülow in "Reversal of Fortune."

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Anthony Hopkins (1992) – Anthony Hopkins absolutely killed as Hannibal Lecter in "The Silence of the Lambs," so it wasn't surprising that he secured the best actor Oscar for the role.

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Al Pacino (1993) – Before "Scent of a Woman," Al Pacino had been nominated for best actor four times and best supporting actor twice without winning. But the star's moment to accept the best actor Oscar finally came at the 1993 ceremony. Pacino may have won for "Scent of a Woman," but he also lost that year in the best supporting actor category for "Glengarry Glen Ross."

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Tom Hanks (1994) – Little did anyone know that when Tom Hanks won the best actor Oscar for the legal drama "Philadelphia" he'd be back at the Oscars very soon, and in a very different role.

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Tom Hanks (1995) – Tom Hanks proved his versatility when he won the best actor Oscar for the second year in a row. His prize this time was for his performance as the mentally challenged but indefatigable "Forrest Gump."

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Nicolas Cage (1996) – Nicolas Cage may now be the butt of Internet jokes -- surely you've seen him swing from a "Wrecking Ball"? -- but he was the man to beat at the 1996 Oscar ceremony. Cage won the best actor prize for "Leaving Las Vegas," his first nomination and first win.

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Geoffrey Rush (1997) – Some actors languish as nominees for years before winning an Oscar, but Geoffrey Rush won the best actor prize on his first try with "Shine."

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Jack Nicholson (1998) – By now, everyone knew what a powerhouse Jack Nicholson was, but he reminded moviegoers again with "As Good as It Gets," picking up yet another best actor Oscar.

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Roberto Benigni (1999) – Italian actor Roberto Benigni was unknown to American audiences before "Life Is Beautiful," but he stole the show at the 1999 Oscars ceremony. The academy gave him the best actor Oscar for "Life Is Beautiful," which also won the prize for best foreign-language film.

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Kevin Spacey (2000) – "American Beauty" was a cynical look at American middle class life with a new century arriving. Star Kevin Spacey received the best actor award for his portrayal of a middle-aged man who lusts after his teenage daughter's friend. The film also won best picture, director (Sam Mendes) and original screenplay (Alan Ball).

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Russell Crowe (2001) – The academy fawned over Russell Crowe's "Gladiator," a sword and sandals epic that picked up honors for best picture, best costume design, best sound, best visual effects and best actor -- the first win for the Australian Crowe.

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Denzel Washington (2002) – Denzel Washington has a reputation as a nice guy in Hollywood, so his transformation into the monstrous detective Alonzo in "Training Day" was incredible to watch. After already winning a best supporting actor statuette for "Glory," Washington took home the best actor award for "Training Day," making him the first African-American to win both.

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Adrien Brody (2003) – Adrien Brody appeared so thrilled when he won best actor award for "The Pianist" he even got Oscar presenter Halle Berry caught up in the moment with a passionate kiss at the 2003 ceremony. "I bet they didn't tell you that was in the gift bag," he joked when he finished. It was his first nomination and win.

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Sean Penn (2004) – The Oscar race for best actor was a tough one when Sean Penn faced off with Jude Law for "Cold Mountain" and Bill Murray for "Lost in Translation," among others. In the end, it was Penn's work in "Mystic River" that earned him his first Academy Award.

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Jamie Foxx (2005) – Before "Ray," Jamie Foxx was known primarily as a comedian -- the kind who would star in a popcorn flick like "Booty Call." But after his portrayal of singer Ray Charles in a musical biography, people realized he had been underestimated as an actor. The academy started paying attention, too, and gave Foxx two nominations for the 2005 ceremony: one for best actor for "Ray" and another for best supporting actor for "Collateral." He didn't win in the best supporting category, but we bet he's been able to live with that loss.

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Philip Seymour Hoffman (2006) – Philip Seymour Hoffman's portrayal of writer Truman Capote in "Capote" was the kind of rock-solid immersion audiences had come to expect from the actor. He got his due with the best actor award -- his only Oscar.

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Forest Whitaker (2007) – Until "The Last King of Scotland," Forest Whitaker had been completely overlooked by the academy. But after he turned in a masterful portrayal of Ugandan dictator Idi Amin, academy voters handed him the Oscar.

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Daniel Day-Lewis (2008) – If Daniel Day-Lewis is in the running, chances are there will be an award for him. The actor won his second best actor Oscar for "There Will Be Blood." He receives the award from Helen Mirren at the 2008 ceremony.

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Sean Penn (2009) – Sean Penn, here with best actress Kate Winslet, left, and best supporting actress Penelope Cruz, gave the performance of a lifetime as openly gay politician and activist Harvey Milk in "Milk." The academy rewarded Penn with his second best actor Oscar at the 2009 ceremony.

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Jeff Bridges (2010) – Jeff Bridges was understandably ecstatic when he won the best actor Oscar for "Crazy Heart." Bridges had been nominated four times before, and, with competition from George Clooney in "Up in the Air" and Jeremy Renner in "The Hurt Locker," his wasn't an obvious win. So when his name was called at the 2010 ceremony, Bridges relished the moment in his acceptance speech: "Thank you, mom and dad, for turning me on to such a groovy profession," he said.

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Colin Firth (2011) – Colin Firth's portrayal of King George VI's fight to overcome a speech impediment beat out Jesse Eisenberg ("The Social Network") and James Franco ("127 Hours"), among others, to win the best actor Oscar.

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Jean Dujardin (2012) – "The Artist," a silent, black-and-white movie, was a celebration of old-school film. Its star, French actor Jean Dujardin, seemed to have a virtual lock on the best actor Oscar, even though he was competing against the likes of George Clooney and Brad Pitt. When awards night arrived in 2012, Dujardin walked away with the prize.

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Daniel Day-Lewis (2013) – Once again, the Oscar race for best actor was jam-packed with amazing performances, from Bradley Cooper in "Silver Linings Playbook" to Denzel Washington in "Flight." But Daniel Day-Lewis completely transformed himself into the 16th U.S. president for Steven Spielberg's "Lincoln," and he walked away with the honors at the 2013 ceremony, becoming the first three-time best actor winner.

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Matthew McConaughey (2014) – Matthew McConaughey won for his role in "Dallas Buyers Club." He played Ron Woodroof, an HIV-positive man who smuggles drugs to AIDS patients. Co-star Jared Leto was named best supporting actor.

Leonardo DiCaprio (2016) – Veteran actor Leonardo DiCaprio won his first Oscar after playing a vengeful frontiersman in "The Revenant."

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Casey Affleck (2017) – Casey Affleck won for his tragic and stoic performance in "Manchester By The Sea." At the beginning of the speech, he thanked fellow nominee Denzel Washington for being someone who "taught him how to act."

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Neil Patrick Harris mostly acquitted himself -- jokes about "the best and the whitest" and a skit based on "Birdman" went over well -- but he had a couple awkward moments.

The most notable came after the win for "Citizenfour," a documentary about NSA contractor Edward Snowden. After director Laura Poitras gave a speech warning about invasion of privacy, Harris tried to lighten the mood.

Snowden couldn't be here tonight "for some treason," Harris said. That got him in trouble online.

Neal Patrick Harris, your joke about Snowden was forced and bad. It would have been more fitting at an NSA convention.

He wasn't the only one. Terrence Howard took a while to get through his introduction of three best picture nominees, prompting some wags to wonder if he was practicing for a future episode of "Empire." Sean Penn received complaints for a crack about "Birdman" director Alejandro Gonzalez Iñarritu, a Mexican: "Who gave this son of a bitch his green card?"

And then there was the luckless John Travolta, who shared a microphone with Idina Menzel. Last year, Travolta was immortalized for calling Menzel "Adele Dazeem." This year, he got her name right but also got a little handsy with the singer.

Social media had a field day.

So how many presenters are filing restraining orders against Travolta right now?